Apr 23, 2012

we had a glooooorious time in wisconsin. i mean, despite the fact that i was super-duper excited to sleep in and then darling dave decided to wake up at the butt crack of dawn each morning and then wake me up too by watching loud golf videos on his phone.

still.

the girls shopped, the boys golfed and we ate lots and lots of food. it was awesome. and i love brandon and jenna. and bob and suzanne. the company was great. good, good times.

Apr 13, 2012

easter sunday. at dave's uncle tim's house, fishing. hallie was off hunting eggs when dave found a REAL goose egg in the shallow water of the pond. he got it out and we called hallie over, knowing she would be all over that business.

and she was, of course. she craddled the egg, named it goosie and her and mackenzie took turns taking care of the goose egg.

weird kids, yes.

hallie has it at home, in her bedroom, in a little nest she made up for it. we told her she could keep it until it starts stinking...or hatches. HAHAHAHA.

right?

it can't hatch...right? (i washed it with dishsoap, btw, so quit judging).

she really thinks it's going to hatch. dave looked at me that night and said - what if it really hatches, i mean, can you imagine? we would just die. HONK.

anytime we hear a goose honking, we tell hallie it's the mother goose coming to get her egg. hee hee.

****

the ride home after easter was long. we had to stop for gas and the kids were exhausted. henry had a red cup from the easter lunch and it was both thrilling him and upsetting him. it was pretty cute. and funny.

Apr 12, 2012

i haven't been cooking as many new recipes lately - actually, i have to look back to even see what i made. hmmm.

do you meal plan? i do.

i try to come up with a meal plan every friday for the upcoming week, so i can make a list and do my shopping on saturday. it's super helpful because then i'm not buying a bunch of crap at the store that doesn't really make up a meal.

DirectionsRinse quinoa thoroughly; drain. Bring quinoa and broth to boil in a 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes or until broth is absorbed. While quinoa is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic in butter for about one minute, stirring frequently, until golden. Stir in vegetables. Cook about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir cream cheese and basil into cooked quinoa. Toss vegetables with quinoa mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

***KERI's NOTES: have you ever tried quinoa? it is awesome. it's like a rice/pasta and it is sooo good. and good for you! it's the ONLY grain that is considered a complete protein too! so you can get your protein while feeling like you're eating pasta! YUM.

Step 1 – In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and form in to meatballs, approximately the size of a golf ball (maybe just a tad smaller).

Step 2 – Place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Step 3 – Bake at 350 F. for approximately 30-45 minutes, or until the meatballs reach a minimum of 165 F. on a thermometer.

Step 4 – Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly and serve.

Eat and Enjoy!

***KERI's NOTES: these were dry as a bone. my fault. i only used one poud of turkey and didn't adjust the amount of parmesan cheese. whoops. the flavor was great though! i would make them again. i served these with egg noodles for dave and hallie with a side of carrot sticks and fresh fruit. i ate mine plain with fruit and they were good.

Blend everything (except the chips) very well in a good food processor (not a blender). Mix in chips, and pour into an oiled pan. Cook at 350F for around 35-40 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

***KERI's NOTES: don't be a hater. you can't even taste the freaking beans. and it cuts out eggs, most oil and it is delicious!!! i used brown sugar splenda and it was delicious. a great alternative from the regular cookie pie/bars.

Almond Butter

i got a hankering last night to try to make my own almond butter. i eat peanut butter every morning in my green moster and i've heard great things about almond butter as a healthier substitute. but holy toledo - it's like $9 for a jar of that business. so, i hve heard you can make your own and i did. because i am awesome.

easy as pie: roast two cups of raw almonds in the oven at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. add to food processor with half-1 tsp of salt (i used kosher). process. for what seems like a million years but is really like...eight. you might have to scrape down the sides a few times, but yeah. that's it. process until it's the consistency of regular pb and then i put it in a jar!

i tried it in my greenie this morning and it was delish. i still prefer pb, but that's because i love pb. but i will be doing almond butter from now on!

*****

so now do you think i'm weird? i know a lot of these recipes aren't "normal" ones, but if you try them i bet you will like them!

Apr 11, 2012

Apr 10, 2012

easter is quickly becoming my number-one, favorite holiday. before it was always a quickie holiday, throw together an easter basket and done.

now, it has become so much more. first of all, we stay home. no traveling. we wake up early for sunrise service, go to our own church and then do the traditional easter lunch with dave's family.

sure, i miss our big family get together, but i love, love, love staying home for easter. plus, my dad comes for the weekend, so i get some of *my* family too!

our sunrise service at arenzville methodist is so cool. our youth group puts on the "show" for the service. there is no traditional sermon, no communion, nothing.

it's a production. our awesome youth play guitar and sing, dance, monologue and end it with a mime. i can't describe how nice (and rewarding!) it is to see these amazing youth doing the entire service. and they are so talented and obviously moved by the spirit.

and hallie is too (moved by the spirit, that is). i got out the paints for her at some point on easter sunday and she called me over to check out her artwork.

see mom? a cross! and a heart, because i love god.

awesome.

her sunday school teacher is also amazing (SHOUTOUT TO LORI!!!!!!). i absolutely loved this exercise they did in sunday school. love, love, love.

the day was just awesome. and so is jesus, not a coincidence me thinks.

we fished, got sunburned, enjoyed family, church family and christ's love and THAT is what easter is all about!

About Me

I am Keri.
Always and forever living a small, but content existence in the mid-west.
Mom of two darling children, Hallie and Henry.
Married to a man who simultaneously makes me laugh and drives me crazy. And I love him dearly for both.